A&E: Behind the Scene, June 23

Jun. 20, 2013

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Danish museum celebrates 30 years

Saturday was a big day for Elk Horn. At press time, the Danish Immigrant Museum planned to celebrate its 30th anniversary with a tent banquet with Gov. Terry Branstad (who was there at the founding), Danish Ambassador to the United States Peter Taksoe-Jensen and museum director John Mark Nielsen, who was knighted in February by the Danish queen.

The festivities included music, dancing and a Sankt Hans Aften (St. John’s Eve) bonfire, a summer tradition dating back to the Vikings.

Bravo breaks its own record for grants

The nonprofit granting group Bravo Greater Des Moines announced last week that it has approved more than $3 million for 58 regional arts, culture and heritage organizations for the coming fiscal year. That dollar amount is the largest ever in Bravo’s 7-year history and a 37 percent increase over last year.

The funding comes from a portion of hotel/motel taxes, approved by local governments in 15 metro cities and Polk County.

Urbandale thespians set stage for 2014

The Urbandale Community Theatre is rallying new board members, performers, behind-the-scenes folks and other volunteers for a new production for summer 2014.

Interested participants are invited to a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at the Urbandale Public Library, 3520 86th St.

The all-volunteer company staged its first show, “Fiddler on the Roof,” in 1996 and has produced a musical every summer except this one.